Tag Archives: Wage

Workers of many races marched through the streets of Los Angeles, calling attention to the need for enforcement of federal equal opportunity guidelines and the need to raise wages. Although there has been recent progress, this event raised awareness that discrimination persists and that a disproportionate number of black workers in Los Angeles are under-employed or unemployed. The groups are hoping that a local Discrimination Compliant Resolution System within the Human Relations Commissions will be created. Strengthening enforcement of anti-discrimination laws is needed to prevent and end job discrimination. This means that labor lawyers and attorneys must continue to fight for the rights of workers.

This Thanksgiving week, workers at numerous major airports are using the holiday to emphasize the need for better jobs and better treatment. Some of these workers, which includes a mix of cleaners, baggage handlers, wheelchair attendants and security officers, barely make minimum wage. The workers are calling the public’s attention to their Fight for $15 campaign, comparable to the campaign of fast-food restaurant workers who have organized for a more livable wage. Action in the form of distributing flyers, passing out petitions, and going on strike have resulted in success in cities such as Philadelphia and Seattle.

After Wal-Mart closed five stores and explained that the action was due to plumbing problems, speculation began that the closings were done in retaliation for a history of labor activism at one of the locations. The location in Pico Rivera, California was the site of the first U.S. strike at a Walmart store, and some employees feel the company was targeting employees who spoke out against Walmart’s labor practices. Workers at this location have been some of the most active in trying to improve working conditions and the Fight for $15 campaign. The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union filed a claim with the National Labor Relations Board that Walmart’s recent store closings were done in retaliation.

One might think that companies associated with pregnancy would never discriminate. Unfortunately, this is not true and any business can be prone to harassment or discrimination. The article below provides an example of a female employee at a maternity clothing store who filed a discrimination complaint when she became pregnant and was allegedly told by her boss that she couldn’t handle working so much during her pregnancy. Pregnant women continue to face discrimination, which is seen more often in lower-wage jobs and traditionally male fields. In jobs that are more physically demanding, pregnant employees may face challenges when seeking lighter duties and accommodations. Pregnancy discrimination tends to be based on many stereotypes, such as inability to do the job, meet the number of work hours required, and lack of commitment to the job. Claims of workplace discrimination can be filed with the EEOC or with state human rights agencies.

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